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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-20T16:36:22+00:00

I’m using the Delphi 5 command-line compiler to do a build. The build does

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I’m using the Delphi 5 command-line compiler to do a build. The build does not report any errors, however it does not generate the EXE file either.

I can confirm the following:

  • Doing the same build via the IDE behaves correctly.
  • There is no difference in the source code or options between IDE vs. DCC32 build.
  • The problem occurrs only on a full build. I.e. doing a build first with -B option and followed by one without, the ‘compile’ correctly generates the EXE file.
  • Using the -E switch on the command-line to force an invalid build output path doesn’t report an error — as if there isn’t even an attempt to generate the EXE file.
  • Other projects do build correctly.
  • I have disabled anti-virus software and so can confirm that that is not the problem.

EDIT
Although I experienced this with Delphi 5, it is not specific to that version. The Delphi Bug List confirmed the issue in at least D4-D6.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    After a lengthy investigation, I’ve managed pinpoint the problem.

    • I wrote a little batch file to do the build and check for the EXE and report success or failure either way.
    • I then went through the painstaking process of eliminating dependencies one at a time and retesting the build.
    • I eventually tracked it down to a specific compiler directive {$ObjExportAll ON} that was used in some of our third party packages.
    • Searching the internet revealed that this bug was introduced when the $ObjExportAll was added for BCB support. Though it seems to have been rarely encountered – just my luck 🙁
    • I’m unsure if or which version the bug was fixed.

    You can test the bug with the following simple project:

    program TestDCC32ObjExportAll;

{$OBJEXPORTALL ON}

begin
end;
    • With the directive, dcc32 does not create the EXE.
    • Without the directive, dcc32 does create the EXE.
    • The IDE always creates the EXE.

    Fortunately we don’t use BCB at all, so I’ve simply disabled the directive wherever it occurred.

    EDIT
    The wonderful resource The Delphi Bug List reports that the issue was confirmed to exist in Delphi 4, 5, and 6. Unfortunately, The Delphi Bug List was discontinued after that. 🙁

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